Jeff Parker just about managed to wedge himself into the back room of a bar in LA’s Highland Park neighbourhood with drummer Jay Bellarose, bassist Anna Butterss, and alto saxophonist Josh Johnson, for this groove laden live set. Recorded over several evenings, and pre-dating his Suite For Max Brown album, this will give any modern jazz head a thrill.
As a sideman and leader, Parker’s career continues to unfold with distinctive studio releases and beautifully choreographed albums of soulful hybrid jazz, whereas this live set is a chance to witness him on the front foot, discovering the freshest chops. For this may possess the trappings of a classic live double in the jazz mould, but Parker is just as inclined to push his hip hop tendencies, as he is to present a straight ahead reading of a standard.
Can one ever tire of hearing those plummy silken lines flowing from his Gibson? Parker is on fire right now, and this band elevate each other into orbit. Over four sides of long form tracks the ambient abstract colours are pervasive, making the inventive beats, and motorik drive, more pronounced when they hits. The possibilities are endless, and each night must have produced an array of intoxicating results. A boxset please!
